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This was a year dominated by the war in Ukraine, hunger in the Horn of Africa and a global cost of living crisis that is threatening to plunge an additional 71 million people into poverty. But despite the massive challenges, there were some positive moments this year, says Trócaire CEO Caoimhe de Barra
Mother Naima Abdi (22) and her one-year-old baby boy Faizal Abdullahai being assessed at the Trócaire run Dollow health referral Centre in Gedo, southern Somalia, using a MUAC (Mid-Upper Arm Circumference) Tape, a colour coded tape which is used on children from 6 months to 5 years to measure malnourishment. The assessment is being overseen by Trocaire nursing coordinator Habiba Ali Maalim and Community Nutrition Worker Ridwan Ali Faqid. Photo: Miriam Donohoe
There was one particular moment this year that has stayed with me. It was from a visit to Dollow Health Referral Centre in Gedo in southern Somalia, one of several health facilities run by Trócaire in the region.
The centre was crowded with dozens of mothers holding malnourished, sick babies, waiting to be assessed by doctors. In the stabilization unit there were infants who had been admitted for treatment for acute malnutrition, many on the brink of death.
I met one mother who had just arrived with her critically ill baby. I sat and spoke with her and will never forget the pain that was in her eyes. Despite the fact that the tiny infant girl was given the very best of care by our health team, she died within two days. It was heart breaking.
This is just one tragic story of many this year from Somalia and the Horn of Africa where a devastating hunger crisis, driven by five seasons of drought, has resulted in over 20 million people being at risk of starvation in the region.
The relentless drought – caused by climate change – has led to the forced displacement of over one million people this year. An estimated 1.5 million children under the age of five will experience acute malnutrition by early in 2023 – the equivalent of every child and young person under the age of 25 in Ireland.
Another Somali mother whom I met with her 5 children show the human tragedy behind these numbers. Nurto Abshiro left her home because the drought had killed almost all of their livestock. She now lives in an internally displaced persons’ camp. Every day, she leaves her four youngest children in the care of 10-year-old Ahada and goes to try to find work so she can buy food. She said that she returns with nothing 4 out of 7 days and the family doesn’t eat. When her children fall ill, she relies on Trócaire’s support to save their lives.
Trócaire has been working in Gedo district in Southern Somalia since 1992, delivering essential health services and humanitarian assistance to more than a quarter of a million people a year. We are the only international NGO to have remained in Gedo through 30 years of conflict and insecurity. If we were not there many children who have received treatment would have died. We are proud of this and will continue to be there to do all we can with the support of the Irish people.
An IDPs centre run by Caritas Ukraine in the Lviv region. Credit: Caritas
The year’s headlines have been dominated by the terrible war in Ukraine. It is estimated that over 8 million people have been forced to flee the country with a similar number displaced within Ukraine because of the conflict.
The war has seen relentless bombardment of various regions of the country. Critical infrastructure, including gas, electricity, and water, have been destroyed increasing the vulnerability of thousands of refugees still living there. Such indiscriminate bombing of infrastructure that is essential to the survival of civilians amounts to war crimes.
This war has resulted in a massive decline in the supply of major staple foods and has led to an increase in food prices globally. Many developing and emerging market countries rely on grain imported from Ukraine and Russia – and the food shortages are hitting developing economies where the world’s poorest live hardest, including countries where we work.
Trócaire, through the Caritas Ukraine network, continues to provide essential humanitarian support to the people of Ukraine, whose situation is even more acute now in sub-zero temperatures. Since the beginning of the conflict, the Caritas Ukraine network has provided support to more than 1.5 million people. The focus of assistance continues to be on basic needs such as food kits, hygiene kits, shelter, water, psychological support and other services for people affected by the conflict.
We will continue to support our Caritas colleagues as they support the most vulnerable in an incredibly volatile situation.
Kula Halake, 58, an agro-pastoralist from Mora Mora village in Borena Zone, Ethiopia stands next to one of her dead cows during Ethiopia's 2022 drought. Photo: Barnaby Jaco Skinner/Trócaire.
The climate crisis also dominated this year and continues to present massive challenges to millions of vulnerable communities. The reality is that those who have contributed least to the climate crisis are impacted most, and Trócaire continued its work on climate justice. We were represented at COP27 in November, when there was great expectation as the world looked to global leaders to take the opportunity to put the planet on a sustainable course, and to act with the urgency that the climate emergency requires.
There was some hope, with the historic agreement for the establishment of a Loss and Damage fund aimed at providing vital financial support to the millions affected by climate change in developing countries. This was a landmark moment achieved after years of demands from communities who have been suffering the damaging impacts of the climate crisis, and the injustice of being pushed into debt to pay for a crisis not of their making.
However, the failure to include a phase out of all fossil fuels in the final decision was deeply disappointing as was lack of progress on climate finance. We will continue to campaign hard, here in Ireland and with our local partners in climate-vulnerable countries, for far greater ambition on emissions reduction and for a sharp increase in climate finance.
Trócaire partners NMJD and Green Scenery organised a walk to parliament in Sierra Leone in support of the new land bills. Photo: Trócaire
A positive highlight was Ireland’s performance on the UN Security Council. Our two-year term ends this month, and we can look back with pride on our contribution to global affairs. For a small state we punched above our weight and proved ourselves to be agile in responding to the unexpected. Ireland held the line where it mattered, putting its stamp on international relations.
Ireland’s focus on gender equality and women, peace and security were very significant and important. Ireland consistently championed the protection of women and girls in conflict. Our efforts to include diverse women who have directly experienced conflict in the Security Council briefings was important as their voices and experiences in decision-making is critical to sustainable peacebuilding.
Of huge significance was the passing in December of a new resolution, led by Ireland and the US, to exempt humanitarian actions from the stranglehold of sanctions imposed by the UNSC. This should remove a significant barrier to faster more effective responses to the needs of people impacted by crises.
Syrian children in a refugee camp in Lebanon receiving a winter kit from Trócaire when temperatures dropped to –4C in January 2022. Credit: SAWA/Trócaire
2023 is going to be a very special year for Trócaire as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. It will give us an opportunity to celebrate our past achievements and to thank people for their ongoing support – but more importantly we will look to the future.
As always, Trócaire will continue to work with local partners, tackling the root causes of poverty, injustice and violence. We will support courageous individuals, communities and organisations to stand up against oppression and to have their rights protected.
Despite all of the challenges presented in 2022, Trócaire – with the support of Irish Aid and other donors, and with the extraordinary generosity of the public in Ireland – worked with local partners to help change the lives of 2.7 million people in 25 countries last year. We are proud of what we have been able to achieve, by working together for a just world.
As we look to the New Year hope will remain. Thank you for being with us on our journey for justice.
I wish you and those close to you a happy and peaceful 2023.
